Incident
Deputy Sheriff Brian Tephford was shot and killed while conducting a vehicle stop in the area of Colony Circle.
Deputy Tephford was performing extra duty at the Versailles Gardens condominium, in Tamarac, when he stopped two suspicious vehicles at approximately 11:00 pm. Deputy Tephford called for an additional unit to assist him. After the second unit arrived, one of three men approached Deputy Tephford's patrol car and opened fire, striking both deputies. Deputy Tephford was sitting in his patrol car running the suspects on the computer when he was shot.
Both deputies were taken to the Broward General Medical Center, where Deputy Tephford died from his wounds an hour later. The second deputy sustained a non-life threatening gunshot wound.
The gunman and his two accomplices were arrested a short time later. All three were charged with Deputy Tephford's murder and the attempted murder of the other deputy. On July 20, 2016, all three, 19, 22, and 28, were convicted of murder and sentenced to life.
Deputy Tephford had served with the Broward County Sheriff's Office for six years.
Survivors
He is survived by his three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtpa6s9dvdd5gjs01zapr- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Brian. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Tephford gave the Broward County Sheriff's Office 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Fort Lauderdale community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Tephford.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Broward County Sheriff's Office has lost 24 officers; 13 of them killed feloniously.
Brian is one of 536 officers killed feloniously in FL, 53.2% of the 1,007 remembered there.
Brian is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Brian is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2006, 1 officer at Broward County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 11 years on record. The heaviest was 1990, with 2.
In 2006, 5 officers in FL were killed feloniously, the 32nd heaviest of 143 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 10.
In 2006, 72 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 98th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2006, 77 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 95th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Brian was 34. Of the 13 killed feloniously at Broward County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 39. Brian had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Brian was 34. Of the 496 killed feloniously in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44.3; the middle age was 36. Brian had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Brian was 34. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Brian had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Brian was 34. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Brian had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 23.1% of these deaths at Broward County Sheriff's Office, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.4%.
November holds 7.6% of these deaths in FL; April holds the most, 10.1%. Sundays: 15.9%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 54.2% of all 24 deaths at Broward County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 15.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.2% of all 1,007 deaths in FL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Broward County Sheriff's Office has 24 officers remembered here, Brian among them.
-
Arthur Fillebrown
Aug 26, 1957
-
James Edgar Hillberry
Dec 4, 1964
-
Robert Hugh Milligan
Aug 12, 1978
-
Joseph Vincent Conte
Jul 11, 1979
-
Worth Edwards
Mar 15, 1980
-
Tony Yanniello
Oct 18, 1984
-
John W. Greeney, III
Feb 17, 1990
-
Patrick Kelly Behan
Nov 13, 1990
-
Michael J. Metroka
Dec 15, 1997
-
Michael Christopher Doane
Dec 24, 1999
-
Philip Guy Billings
Apr 6, 2003
-
Todd Michael Fatta
Aug 19, 2004
-
Ryan Christopher Seguin
Feb 15, 2006
-
Brian Keith Tephford
Nov 12, 2006
-
Christopher Reyka
Aug 10, 2007
-
Paul Rein
Nov 7, 2007
-
Christopher Allen Schaub
Sep 26, 2012
-
Daniel Rivera
Sep 21, 2013
-
Michael David Ryan
Dec 31, 2017
-
Benjamin Ryan Nimtz
Jul 21, 2019
-
Matthew Michael Griffith
Nov 29, 2019
-
Shannon Santo Bennett
Apr 3, 2020
-
Aldemar Rengifo, Jr.
Aug 16, 2020
-
Shane Troy Owens
Mar 27, 2021
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 61-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
23 officers from Broward County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.















